Four Ways the Affordable Health Care Act Helped People With HIV

1. HIV and AIDS now qualify as one of the chronic conditions eligible for enhanced federal reimbursements through Medicaid. States adhering to the Affordable Care Act’s Health Homes program will find it easier to create care and support systems for people with HIV. Tens of thousands of people, including some HIVers, have already enrolled in the mandatory Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan, which ensures they will not be locked out of the health insurance market just because of their health status. However, you’re required to prove that you’ve been denied coverage, and those with coverage of any sort, even if they have been denied treatment for their HIV under that provider, will not qualify.

2. AIDS Drug Assistance Program benefits now count as contributions toward a Medicare beneficiary’s out-of-pocket spending limit for prescription drugs, easing the cost burden.

3. No matter where you live in the U.S., an individual or family whose income is less than 133% of the federal poverty level ($14,500 per individual) will be instantly eligible for Medicaid this year.

4. It closes the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit “doughnut hole,” giving beneficiaries a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs.